On November 9, the White House formally nominated Chris Mufarrige, current Director of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection, to serve as an FTC commissioner. Mufarrige’s nomination is intended to fill the vacancy left by Melissa Holyoak, who departed late last year to become U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah. If confirmed, Mufarrige would serve a term extending through September 2033. However, the actual length of his tenure could depend on the outcome of the 2028 presidential election. In a June 2026 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down longstanding legal protections that had limited the president’s ability to remove commissioners serving on independent regulatory agencies, potentially making their tenure more closely tied to the administration in power.
The timing of Mufarrige’s Senate confirmation remains uncertain. Although Congress has returned for the post-election lame duck session, advancing his nomination through the Senate Commerce Committee and securing a floor vote could prove challenging given the substantial amount of unfinished legislative business lawmakers must address before the end of the year. NIADA will be monitoring developments closely.
Shortly after the announcement, NIADA CEO Jeff Martin released the following statement:
“NIADA congratulates Director Chris Mufarrige on his nomination to serve as a commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). During his tenure leading the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, Mufarrige has demonstrated a commitment to transparent and fair market oversight, while remaining receptive to industry perspectives and willing to engage in meaningful dialogue. NIADA appreciates his approach and looks forward to continuing its productive relationship with him in this new and well-deserved role.”
